The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-10-23
CHAPTER VI.
His eyebrows dark and eye of fire
Showed spirit proud, and prompt to ire.


Scott.
As Mr.. Morriss and his daughter rode home
to dinner the latter, in answer to an in
qLiry from her father as to how she and
Virgil had been thrown together, related
the whole scene that had been enacted in
her aunt's parlor. The tobacconist listened
attentiveIy, and for several minutes after
his daughter had ceased speaking, said moth
ing. He was evidently lost i'll painful
thought, as a shadow of intense anxiety
rested upon his countenance. At last he
said, with a tone of sadness in his voice:
Poor little Florinel How my heart
bleeds for the child She has been allowed
to have her own way, to treat people as she
pleases. to think herself above this person
and that person. and to associate with boyish
upstarts until her whole being is poisoned,
and every germ of true womanhood which
nature implanted within her has been de-
stroyed. She is taught that beauty, social
position, and a superficial education, sea
soned with a slight knowledge of French,
and music, will insure her prominent DO
sition in society, and eventually after sew
eral seasons of frivolity, wealthy, aristo-
cratic husband. Her beauty will secure for
her a host of admirers; but, apart from a
deep, womaniy nature, beauty cannot pro-
duce a lasting impression upon a mans
heart FloI1ne may fascinate, but one of
her nature can never beget genuine love,
and if a man, dazZled by her good looks,
should marry her, he would soon weary of
her, and rue the day that united him to so
frivolous q creature. Oh, my child, think
of the miserable life your poor uncle Ed
muud led with Mamie until the good Lord
took him to Himself Think of the months
during which never word was exchanged
between husband and wife! How often has
nv poor brother come to me and, with tears
in his eyes, said;
ooh, Phil, | wish had never seen that
woman! Oh, that | had married some
sweet, retiring woman like sister Bertha
Phil, you ought to thank God every day for
such a jewel OF wifer
"Ah, nav child, | did thank God, and |
thank Him still, for such helpmeet as your
mother, and / thank Him also that our
union has been blessed with two such chill
dren as YOU and Bunyan, who inherit those
noble qualities which makes Bertha so low
able"
Five minutes later the carriage halted be-
fore Mr. Morriss' magnificent home. The
driver alighted and assisted the young lady
and her father out of the vehicle. Pauline
linked her arm in her tathers and the two
proceeded up the walk
Behind a mass of honeysuckle vines grow
ing midway the yard. Charlie had con-
cealed himself, and as his uncle and cousin
approached, he crept stealthily from his
hiding place and grasped Paulines arm.
You naughty boyp she exclaimed, in
pretended anger, gently boxing his ear with
her little gloved hand. You are always
up to some mischief You frightened me
terribly"
81 am glad of it," he said, endeavoring
to create the impression that she had done
something to incur his displeasure.
"Charliem
eyes, am glad Of i'll" he repeated Gun
Gle Phil, what do you thinkY'
What, my sonm inquired Mr.. NORRIS,
smiling good-naturedly.
'Weli not more than an hour ago saw
this modest young lady promenading down
Franklin street with college-mate OF mine,
whom know she never saw until yester-
day, and she was talking so loudly and so
incessantly that she attracted the attention
of people a block away
"Now, Charlie, said Pauline, reproving-
", show often have rebuked you for ex-
travagance of speechT
II beg your pardon, Mrs. Susanna Yves
ley! But, Paulie, you must answer this
question:: How came you and Virgil Paine
on such familiar terinss He is a modest
fellow, and you are a tnid girl-at least
have always thought both of you such--and
[ cannot account for such familiarity upon
so short an acquaintance. Now, il it were
Florine, | should think nothing of it, for
she is as much at ease in the company of
one she has known only few minutes as she
is with one she has known all her life
"Oh, don't speak of Florinew cried his
cousin, . her face darkening with disgust. Il
never saw her behave 50 rudely in my life as
she did to-day"
Mr.. NORRIS gave his daughter a signif-
| cant glance, which, however, did not escape
Charles notice
why can't she tell me, uncle Phil"
asked the youth. Pauline, what has
Florine doneI'
May | tell him, papap
"Well, yes; hut it will do no good. 1t
will only work the boy up in a towering
passion, and cause MIN to fright home anu
create a scene, and that wouldn't look well
on the eve of so momentous an occasion as
the marriage Of the dasnins Widow NORRIS
to the brilliant Mr.. Woodbury."